Toronto paramedics

By Stefanie Marotta Staff Reporter Thu., Dec. 6, 2018 At least 19 people died from suspected opioid overdoses in the city in November, the most in a month this year, according to paramedic records published by Toronto Public Health. Paramedics reported 281 calls for suspected opioid overdoses in November in which people did not die, up from 250 in October, but lower than in July, August and September. The paramedic count of suspected opioid overdoses is preliminary and subject to change and may underestimate the true number of overdoses in the city, according to Toronto Public Health’s Overdose Information System. That’s in part because not all opioid overdoses in the city necessarily result in a 911 call involving paramedics. Also, any patient who dies in hospital after being transported there alive by paramedics might appear in the data as a “non-fatal” overdose. A paramedic’s assessment of an opioid overdose may also may … [Read more...] about At least 19 people died in November of suspected opioid overdoses in Toronto, paramedics say

By Premila D’Sa Staff Reporter Sun., June 24, 2018 Three people have died after two separate shootings early Sunday in Toronto. Toronto Paramedics said a woman in her 30s died after a shooting in the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood in North York. Paramedics received the call for the shooting at 2 a.m. and found the woman with life-threatening injuries on Replin Rd., near Allen Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W. She was taken to hospital, where she died. At the same time, paramedics in Etobicoke received a call for a shooting at Lightwood Dr., near Kipling Ave. and Albion Rd. Article Continued Below Two men, both in their 20s, were pronounced dead at the scene, police say. The area has been closed for investigation. Toronto has faced a rash of shootings in the past months. At the end of May, Mayor John Tory issued a statement condemning increasing incidents of gun violence. A shooting in early June left the city in shock after two sisters, aged five and … [Read more...] about Woman in her 30s, two men killed in separate overnight shootings in Toronto

By Premila D'Sa Staff Reporter Thu., June 21, 2018 A Toronto police officer was taken to hospital in serious condition after his police motorcycle collided with a vehicle in Oakwood Village Thursday afternoon. The officer was on duty when his police motorcycle collided with a vehicle at Vaughan Rd. and Oakwood Ave. at 2:37 p.m., police said. Toronto Paramedics said he was transported to hospital with a serious leg injury, through an emergency run. Police have shut down the intersection to investigate. Premila D'Sa is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @premila_dsa Article Continued Below TOP STORIES, DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. NEW NEWSLETTER HEADLINES SIGN UP … [Read more...] about Toronto police officer in serious condition after police motorcycle collides with vehicle

By Star Editorial Board Wed., April 25, 2018 The standard of care in Ontario’s hospitals, especially those in the Toronto area, has been getting a lot of bad press lately. Patients and politicians alike have been railing against so-called “hallway medicine.” There’s been no end of stories about patients stranded for hours, even days, in hospital hallways because there aren’t enough proper beds to accommodate them. It’s not a pretty picture. This week, though, we’ve witnessed a textbook example of our medical system at its best. We’ve seen health care workers go above and beyond to respond to the kind of emergency that is (fortunately) extremely rare in our city. And we’ve seen hospitals and health authorities work together to make sure the professionals had everything they needed to do their jobs. The Star’s Theresa Boyle reported on Wednesday how emergency teams at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Health … [Read more...] about Hospitals stepped up to meet the challenge of Toronto’s van attack

By Donovan Vincent Feature Writer Fri., March 2, 2018 It was a sunny, clear Easter Sunday afternoon when Theresa Laurico stepped off the Harbourfront streetcar, with her teacup Yorkie tucked under arm. She was heading to her condo after a service at St. Michael’s Cathedral with her dog, named Love. The plan was to go home and later head to an uptown restaurant for dinner with the family. As the streetcar pulled away from her York St. stop, Queens Quay was bustling. Even in early spring, the area is a big draw for tourists and Torontonians alike, and the confluence of pedestrians, cyclists, public transit and vehicles requires a delicate dance, despite a 2015 redesign meant to showcase the waterfront and improve navigation. Laurico walked to the end of the raised platform and stepped down into the street. That was the moment of impact. Article Continued Below Traffic screeched to a halt. A crowd gathered. The tiny dog ran around in the … [Read more...] about This Toronto woman was hit by a bus last spring. They called for a body bag. Today she’s a ‘walking miracle’